Delhi To Kerala By Rail

A 21-Day Tour Of India: Be Ready To Be Mesmerized

From US$ 1810 Per Person

Come on board for a fantastic 21-day trip (a rail trip) where we zoom through fields and canals and cover multiple destinations including Delhi, Agra & Jaipur (the Golden Triangle), Udaipur, Mumbai, Goa, Hampi, Mysore, Madikeri and Kochi (a paradise-que destination in Kerala). Travelling from north down south, the odyssey will be a visual treat for anyone in love with history, art, architecture and nature. From Goa’s sun-bathed beaches to Mysore’s historic palaces to Jaipur’s gargantuan fortresses, everything about this tour is going mesmerize you.

Arrive at Delhi Airport and you shall be transferred to your hotel for overnight stay.

Day 2: Delhi

After breakfast take sightseeing tour of historic city visiting Old Delhi visiting the majestic Red Fort, a marvel in red sandstone, Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India, both built by emperor Shah Jahan of Taj Mahal fame, Later sightseeing continues to visit New Delhi include Rashtrapati Bhawan, one-time imperial residence of the British viceroys; the India Gate, a memorial raised in honour of the Indian soldiers martyred during the Afghan war; Humayun’s Tomb, Qutub Minar, built by Qutub-ud-din Aibek of the Slave Dynasty;

Day 3: Delhi – Agra

Morning board the fastest train of India as Gatiman Express Enjoy a guided tour of the impressive Taj Mahal and Agra Fort. Time permitting, opt to visit the Baby Taj.

Built by the emperor Shah Jahan to honour the memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz, it is built of marble and decorated with the most delicate inlay work, the Taj Mahal needed the labours of 20,000 men and is assessed to have cost something in the region of 3 million rupees (at today’s prices that equates to around $70 million).

We then pay a break to the splendor of Agra Fort. Built by Emperor Akbar and then elaborated by his grandson, Shah Jahan, the fort was once a great city, with palaces, mosques and halls all lying behind the protective clinch of 20m high walls.

Day 4: Agra – Jaipur

After breakfast, there will be some leisure time to wander the city, possibly taking in the rich classiness of the beautiful Itimad-ud-Daulah, a 17th century tomb constructed for the Emperor Jehangir’s chief minister that reflects the marble majesty of the more famous Taj Mahal (hence its rather apt title of ‘Baby Taj).

In the evening board your train for Jaipur. Night stay is in Jaipur

Day 5: Jaipur

Today explore the pleasures of this royal city which highlights India’s most important cultural treasures. We will start by viewing the facade of the Hawa Mahal, the famous ‘ Palace of the Winds’, whose astonishing frontage of red and pink sandstone towers some 5 storeys over the city streets. Constructed at the end of the 18th century its 935 windows were planned to allow the women of the harem to stare out on the city scene below without themselves being seen, the openings offering the added bonus of generating a refreshing breeze (hawa), which kept the palace cool even in the hot summer months.

Carry on to visit the mighty Rajput capital of Amber and its outstanding fortress. Overseeing Maotha Lake, the fort is a spectacular creation of white marble and red sandstone that contains a dazzling mix of Hindu and Muslim embellishment, embracing the magnificent mirrored halls of the Sheesh Mahal. It was from these lofty walls that the Kachchawahas ruled over their kingdom for around 7 centuries, until its prominence was eclipsed by nearby Jaipur.

This afternoon visit the amazing observatory of Jantar Mantar. Our added visit is to the luxurious grandeur of the City Palace, a stunning complex of gardens and courtyards that presents a rich blend of Mughal and Rajasthani design and houses an armory and a museum that is home to a stunning array of costumes, manuscripts and inlaid splendor.

Spend your night in Jaipur

Day 6: Jaipur – Udaipur

Full day is for leisure and rest. If you want then you can enjoy the day on your own. See more of Rajasthan city. Opt for Bollywood Movie at Raj Mandir. Visit this impressive cinema and watch a song-and-dance Bollywood film.

Overnight is on board (The train is basic with overnight beds)

Day7: In Udaipur

Arrive and transfer to your hotel.

Later discover Jagdish Temple and the City Palace, one of the largest royal palaces in India. Attend a Rajasthani cultural show on Gangaur Ghat. Night stay is in Udaipur

Day 8: Udaipur – Free Day – Evening train for Bundi

Enjoy a free day in Udaipur.

There’s loads to explore and do in Udaipur, and we sought to make sure that you had some time to take it all in. Feel free to rest or try optional happenings such asdiscovering the Monsoon Palace, understanding Rajasthani cuisine with a cooking class, and visiting the Saheliyon-ki-Bari Garden. In the evening board your train for Bundi. On arrival at Bundi check in at your hotel for overnight stay.

Day 9: Bundi – Mumbai

One of the unexplored cities with a rich historical wealth. Bundi is surrounded by the Aravalli hills on the three sides and is circumscribed by a massive wall with four gateways. Interesting monuments including impressive medieval forts, palaces, havelis, temples with beautiful stone idols and chattris with carved pillars, along with a picturesque lake in the heart of the town, add to its charm. Bundi is very famous for its intricate carvings and murals.

Visit

Step-wells of Bundi: For anyone who wants to see the beauty of different types of stepwells, a visit to the township of Bundi is recommended. A number of stepwells have been made over a period of three centuries by members of the royal families as well as the people of Bundi who took interest in a worthwhile cause. Out of around 20 stepwells in the area, those worth a mention are Naval Sagar, Sisodiaji ki Baori, Purushottam ki Baori, Sukhi Baori, Manoharji ki Baori and RAmi ki Baori.

Taragarh Fort: The serpentine Taragarh Fort and its palace is what immediately strike visitors on arrival in Bundi. Rudyard Kipling who visited here a century ago wrote, “No human hand can create such a splendour; for only angels have that skill”. Taragarh is Bundi’s pride. This imposing fort was raised at a height of 500 meters atop a hill by Rao Bar Singh in the 13th century.

In time get transferred to Kota and board your overnight train for Mumbai. Night is on board.

Day 10: Mumbai

Made up of seven islands on the eastern periphery of the Arabian Sea, Mumbai attracts people from all over the country to its prosperous streets. Mumbai is also the abode of ‘Bollywood’, an industry that creates more films per year than any other city in the world. After freshen up we will be exploring city this morning, watching the honey-coloured Gateway of India arch and the macabre Towers of Silence. Built by the Parsis escaping persecution in Persia during the 17th century, the Towers were a mortuary for the dead. Being Zoroastrians the Parsis were not allowed to bury or cremate their dead, so in its place they were left in these towers to allow nature to dispose of them. We also visit the municipal dhobi ghats and the Prince of Wales Museum, which has an outstanding compilation of Indian miniatures from the Moghal and Rajasthan schools, whilst at the Mahatma Gandhi Museum we’ll learn a slight of the great man’s life and ideas, because of an notable collection of books, photographs and letters.

Day 11: Mumbai– Goa

Leaving the city timely this morning we travel by train to Goa, following the Konkan Railway to the station at Thivim. Travelling along this line offers us an occasion to rightly realize some of the most stunning scenery tendered by any of the Indian rail networks as we surpass through the amazing scenery of the Western Ghats. The palmfringed shores of Goa were colonised by the Portuguese in the 16th century, who seized the original Arab trade settlement and began building a city on the Arabian Sea sprinkled with houses, gardens monasteries and churches, lots of which unluckily no longer remain.

Goa ultimately became the commercial centre for East and West, where traders could purchase pearls, coral, rubies, golden jewellery, silks, China porcelain, lacquered furniture, ambergris and exotic spices. The Portuguese influence is still very much apparent – the main religion is still Roman Catholic and siestas are still widely applied in the hot afternoons. Like most parts in India, Goa also has its own food specialities, the most well-liked is pork vindaloo! You may also want to sample the locally prepared spirit feni – a spine-tingling drink made from coconut or cashew apples.

Day 12: Goa

We have a comfortable start to the day with the morning free before we meet in the afternoon and take a walk around the city of Panjim. While Goa is mainly known for the beaches that lure tourists during the year, the wide streets of Panjim are worth discovering. The buildings are noticeably European in style with shutters, balconies and red tiled roofs though they are assorted with more traditional temples to form a rather unusual style. If you wish to spend some time on the beach it is just a short taxi ride away.

Day 13: Goa

This morning we will go to a local spice plantation, to learn a little of the spices and plants that grow between these fertile landscapes. This part of India has long been famous for its plentiful array of spices; indeed Christopher Columbus was en route to the spice rich Malabar Coast when he bounced into America by mistake.

A journey of the gardens with a local guide will disclose the massive wealth of Goa’s aromatic treasures, containing pepper and nutmeg, vanilla and cinnamon. This afternoon we will transfer to the station for the overnight train to Bangalore, travelling transversely the historically rich area of Karnataka to its south-eastern border with Tamil Nadu. Founded in the early years of the 16th century Bangalore went on to become a governmental centre under the British during the 1830s and nowadays can boast one of India’s most vibrant economies, having taken on the title of the country’s science and technological centre.

Day 14: Goa – Hampi

Morning board your train for Hubli / Hospet and then by car to reach Hampi, in the heart of Karnataka. Night stay is in Hampi

Day 15: Hampi – Mysore

Enjoy a on foot tour and discover the stunning ruins of Hampi Palaces, Hazararama Temple, and the boulders on the river. In the evening you will be transferred to Hubli to board your overnight train for Mysore

Night is on board.

Day 16: Mysore

Today we visit the splendid magnificence of the Maharajah’s Palace and the gigantic monolithic sculpture of the sacred bull, Nandi. Formerly built in the 14th century, the palace has undergone two ensuing re-buildings, the most current being in 1912 when the palace was reformed by the English architect Henry Irwin, and is today an opulent mixture of Hindu and British architecture. Filled with stained glass, mirrored halls and an extensive array of ornate furnishings and vibrant colours, the palace’s interiors are a fascinating mix of the elegant and the gaudy, with exquisitely carved doors and mosaic floors sharing space with intensely painted pillars and overly ornate furniture.

The Chamundi Hills overseeing the city are home to the rising Sri Chamundeswari Temple and the 5m high representation of Shiva’s sacred bull, Nandi, which was engraved from a single piece of rock in the 17th century and is one of the biggest in the country. The afternoon is free for own exploration.

Day 17: Mysore – Madikeri

Morning drive to Bylakuppe and discover the Namdroling Monastery – home to nearly 5,000 Tibetan Buddhist monks and nuns. Home to closely 5,000 Tibetan Buddhist monks and nuns, Namdroling Monastery is recognized as a base for teachings of the Buddha and the Nyingma belief – the oldest of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism. Carry on to Madikeri for your overnight stay

Day 18: Madikeri

Discover Madikeri (the coffee hub of India) and experience a tour of a coffee plantation. Understand the production procedure and have a sample or two of the locally-grown coffee while taking in the beautiful scenery.

Later visit the Madikeri Fort and the famous Raja’s Seat for its spectacular views.

Day 19: Madikeri – Kochi

Morning hop for a morning drive to the coastal town of Kannur. From there Hook for the Ernakulam Express to Kochi in the afternoon. On arrival at Kochi get transferred to your hotel.

Day 20: Kochi

Stop at Fort Kochi with a local guide this morning we get a better view of some of the city’s rich mixture of different styles. Fort Kochi is the oldest European settlement in India (1500), with a mix of English, Dutch and Portuguese architecture. In our outing, we will visit the Jewish Quarter and its surviving synagogue, the church of St. Francis where Vasco do Gama was buried for a while and the Basilica of Santa Cruz. The Mattancherry Palace was erected by the Portuguese in the 16th century, but wide facelifts by the Dutch some hundred years later earned it the name ‘the Dutch Palace’ and today it houses some of the best murals in India, portraying scenes from the Ramayana and other great legends.

There will also be time to stroll through the fish market and see the interesting cantilevered Chinese Fishing nets before the chance to continue exploring on your own. There is the choice of getting a ferry across to nearby Ernakulam, or possibly visiting the sumptuous magnificence of the Tripunithura Hill Palace, the striking former residence of the Maharajahs of Kochi. As well as being the aged European town in India, Kochi is also home to the famed Kathakali dance, believed by some to be the spirit of the culture of Kerala, revealing as it does events from the great Indian epics of the Ramayana and Mahabharata. Its origins may have come from traditional temple rituals and from an art form known as Koodiyattam. It is the face make up which makes this dancing so unique and dancers can take up to three hours painting their faces – the facets are heavily stressed as it is the facemask expressions and co-ordinated eye movements which are important in the dance. This evening there may be an occasion to view one of these remarkable shows for ourselves (optional).

Day 21: Kochi Depart

Day is at leisure. In time you will be transferred to Kochi Airport to board your flight for onwards journey. Tour Ends

INCLUSIONS:

Accommodation:

Meals:

18 Breakfasts

About Accommodation:

A selection of styles of hotels/guest houses are included in the tour plan. These hotels / guest houses could not be like what you are used to back home. Power cuts can be expected in many places, specifically thru North and Central India. Though many hotels have generators which are for backup to produce electricity at such instances.

Additions:

Accommodations as per tour plan in economy hotels / guests houses

All assisted Airport & Railway transfers at all places

Private Car for the entire trip as per tour plan

Sightseeing tours as per tour itinerary

Meals as per tour plan at all the hotels (not in trains)

Train fares for all the sectors as per tour plan

All applicable taxes and service charges and

All road taxes, government taxes and driver allowances.

EXCLUSIONS:

Any International flight fare

Medical and insurance of any kind.

Any meals (Unless specified)

Any Air Fare (Domestic)

Any Monument fees as per tour plan

Any expenses arising out of unforeseen circumstances like flight delay/cancellation/hike in fare, strike or any other natural calamities

ABOUT TRANSPORTATION:

Train:

Touring in India by train is an experience. Distances in India are long and Indian trains aren’t the worlds best, but journeying in these enhances a mesmerizing new aspect to a visitor’s experience in the country. There is nearly no improved way to get to make friends with the people and see the impressive views of the diverse Indian countryside. The anarchy on the Indian Railway stations is a duplication of the life in India.

We use a combination of AC 2 tier, AC 3 tier and sleeper class (for overnight journeys) and AC Chair car or second-class seats for day trips.

There are no cafeteria or buffet cars on Indian Railways, but on lengthy distance trains an assistant will arrive in your coach and ask if you would like to order food. Routine stops are made at stations where food is also accessible and on some trains many sellers board the train selling chai, cold drinks and crisps and biscuits.

Don’t assume immaculate western standards anywhere in India, but you’ll find AC2, AC3 and AC Chair class equitably clean by Indian standards, with both western-style and squat toilets generally in a judiciously sanitary condition. Sleeper Class and 2nd class toilets may be a different matter! Carry your own toilet paper and hand wash soap or liquid.

Indian trains are moderately safe to travel on, even for families or women voyaging alone, and you are unlikely to have any glitches. Having said that, thievery of luggage, although rare is not ignored of, so just for peace of mind you might like to take alongside a chain and padlock to secure your bags (freely obtainable at all Indian Railway stations).

Normally, Indian Railways are very professional, but Indian trains do run late, and occasionally it’s hours relatively than minutes. Make sure you have something to engage your time – a good book, magazine or photos of your home country and family to show the Indian travelers also nearing for the train.

Road:

Going by road is definitely not what people are use to in Western countries. Rules are not constantly followed, drivers perform to speed, do not stay in their lanes, overtake in apparently chancy situations. The horn though is used very regularly and can variety from the latest Bollywood tune to Britney Spears! While the government is spending large sums of money refining the road substructure, there is a lot more to be done. Travel time is very long in contrast to Western countries and short distances can take a lot longer than at home.

Golden Triangle And North India 10 Days Tour

A Tourbillion Of Monuments, Tombs And Forts With Delhi-Agra-Taj Tour

Get a quick breakfast and get set for a tourbillion of the cacophonous Delhi and the romantic Agra. With our Delhi and Agra Taj Mahal package, you can explore the red brick monuments of the capital city and the great Mughal tomb of Taj in just one day. An awesome experience is guaranteed!

Golden Triangle And North India 10 Days Tour

1A Tourbillion Of Monuments, Tombs And Forts With Delhi-Agra-Taj Tour

Get a quick breakfast and get set for a tourbillion of the cacophonous Delhi and the romantic Agra. With our Delhi and Agra Taj Mahal package, you can explore the red brick monuments of the capital city and the great Mughal tomb of Taj in just one day. An awesome experience is guaranteed!

Golden Triangle And North India 10 Days Tour

2A Tourbillion Of Monuments, Tombs And Forts With Delhi-Agra-Taj Tour

Get a quick breakfast and get set for a tourbillion of the cacophonous Delhi and the romantic Agra. With our Delhi and Agra Taj Mahal package, you can explore the red brick monuments of the capital city and the great Mughal tomb of Taj in just one day. An awesome experience is guaranteed!